Robert Gates, who is expected to substitute resigned US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, contributed to withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, US President George Bush stated describing merits of his nominee for post of the Pentagons chief. The President is going to submit the candidature to Senate for approval.

Also, he assured that US defense secretarys substitution does not mean US policys change in Iraq. Donald Rumsfeld was not present at the press conference of Bush; although, it is unusually for event of such kind. Rumsfeld was key ideologists and strategist of war in Iraq; major part of criticism was leveled against him because of failures in Iraq.

Rumsfelds resignation was reaction to the Republican Partys defeat at the recent Congressional elections, RSN stresses. Bush said that he was disappointed with voting outcomes, and that he assumed considerable part of responsibility for them.

In his book, From the Shadows, published in 1996, Mr Gates defended the role of the CIA in undertaking covert action which, he argued, helped to win the Cold War. In a speech in 1999, Mr Gates said that its most important role was in Afghanistan.

"CIA had important successes in covert action. Perhaps the most consequential of all was Afghanistan where CIA, with its management, funnelled billions of dollars in supplies and weapons to the mujahideen, and the resistance was thus able to fight the vaunted Soviet army to a standoff and eventually force a political decision to withdraw." - LINK

"Engagement could encourage Iran to adopt a more clear, positive attitude toward the new governments in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and it could also create opportunities for greater interaction between Iranians and the rest of the world. In all candor, the history of the last 25 years does not offer much encouragement that any part of this will be successful. However, a serious attempt could result in greater international support, should the failure of diplomacy necessitate reliance on other means."

On the impact of the U.S. invasion of Iraq: "My personal opinion is that it has probably strengthened our position vis-a-vis Iran. After all, we've _ we now have military presence on both sides of Iran. We have 140,000 troops next door. Clearly the Iranians have to look at that and see that the strategic situation in their neighborhood has changed in a significant way."

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.